Making its debut in early 2003 as Lamborghini's entry level model, the Gallardo was introduced to the public with a custom tuned 5.2 liter V10 based on Audi's 4.2 liter. The Gallardo could be had in both a 6 speed manual transmission and a 6 speed E-Gear. Although Lamborghini is known for its trademark rising doors, the Gallardo however is one of the first models to get regular doors. Over the years the Gallardo has dramatically improved in both looks and performance measures. Although the Gallardo era is coming to an end after an 8 year production run, it has most definitely left its mark in the car world.
Comparing the 2003 Base model Gallardo to the recent 2013 model being offered today shows the evolution of Lamborghini. The Gallardo has sold over 13,000 units which for an exotic with a price tag of over $100,000 is a true success for Audi and Lamborghini. Though the first Gallardo was criticized for its lacking performance early on, it has come a long way since that with models such as the LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 that earned the Gallardo much respect around popular tracks such as the Nurburgring.
What may come to a suprise is the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo will be the very last Lamborghini offered in a full manual stick transmission as it is now becoming a thing of the past. But based on sells the E-Gear Gallardos outsold the manual 6-Speed models by a good margin. The manual gearbox's were described by owners as complicated, slow and hard to use.
The last model is yet to be named but it is a lightweight stripped version that is not all wheel drive but rear wheel drive.
Lamborghini states that the replacement will be very obvious yet not very revealing. With Ferrari releasing new models every year, its no wonder Lamborghini has decided to do the same. The Team over over at Roadstarr Motorsports has seen its fair share of Gallardos and will be sad to see them go, but most know Lamborghini never disappoints so we can all rest assured that the replacement will be 2x better and more up to date.
Comparing the 2003 Base model Gallardo to the recent 2013 model being offered today shows the evolution of Lamborghini. The Gallardo has sold over 13,000 units which for an exotic with a price tag of over $100,000 is a true success for Audi and Lamborghini. Though the first Gallardo was criticized for its lacking performance early on, it has come a long way since that with models such as the LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 that earned the Gallardo much respect around popular tracks such as the Nurburgring.
What may come to a suprise is the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo will be the very last Lamborghini offered in a full manual stick transmission as it is now becoming a thing of the past. But based on sells the E-Gear Gallardos outsold the manual 6-Speed models by a good margin. The manual gearbox's were described by owners as complicated, slow and hard to use.
The last model is yet to be named but it is a lightweight stripped version that is not all wheel drive but rear wheel drive.
Lamborghini states that the replacement will be very obvious yet not very revealing. With Ferrari releasing new models every year, its no wonder Lamborghini has decided to do the same. The Team over over at Roadstarr Motorsports has seen its fair share of Gallardos and will be sad to see them go, but most know Lamborghini never disappoints so we can all rest assured that the replacement will be 2x better and more up to date.
